CAMPBELL — A 25-year-old homeless man found in a parking lot was arrested in connection with an attempted child abduction last weekend, according to police.
A Campbell police officer Wednesday spotted Roberto Felipe-Velasco sitting inside a 1998 silver Honda Accord 4-door, the type of car investigators believe was used in the attempted kidnapping. The Honda was in the parking lot of Extra Space Storage at 241 W. Sunnyoaks Ave.
The officer believed Felipe-Velasco resembled the suspect description given by the victim, a preteen girl.
Investigators wrote a search warrant for Felipe-Velasco’s storage unit and seized numerous items of evidence, including clothing that was consistent with what was worn the day of the incident, according to police.
Felipe-Velasco was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and child endangerment. He is being held without bail.
The girl’s family issued a statement through the Campbell Police Department, thanking the department and the community for their support.
“We are so relieved this morning that the Campbell Police arrested the guy who they suspect tried to kidnap our daughter,” the statement reads. “Your support as our neighbors and friends has been tremendous the last few days. At times like this, it really comes out what a wonderful, small town-like community we have here in the middle of the Bay Area.”
On Saturday, police say the girl was walking her dog in the neighborhood near Maysun Court and Harriet Avenue when a man pulled up in a car asking for directions. The man got out of his car and approached the victim, continuing to ask about the directions.
During their conversation the man grabbed the girl in “bear hug.” She fought back and started to scream, which caused the man to flee in his vehicle. A witness in the area heard the victim scream and saw the suspect driving northbound on Harriet.
Contact Mark Gomez at 408-920-5869. Follow him at Twitter.com/markmgomez.
